I live close to Carrizozo, NM, but Las Cruces NM is a Great place to live. It's about 100,000 pop. now,and a college town. (New Mexico State University). Low crime , very livable place. I've heard though, that It's starting to be a destination place for California refugees. Believe me , Las Cruces wants all the Texans and Mexicans they can get before it becomes totally "Californicated".